ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The University of
Miami track and field program got off to a strong start in the New Mexico
Classic Friday night.

"Tonight we
came out and competed with a lot of confidence and poise," said Amy Deem, Miami's
Director of Track and Field and Cross Country.

Sophomore Taneisha
Cordell and junior Alaine Tate led off the big day by finishing first and
second in the women's 600m run. Cordell came out on top with a time of 1:31.61,
but Tate was right behind her, finishing in 1:32.00.

"Taneisha ran
an aggressive race from the start to finish and shattered the meet record,"
Deem said.

Freshman Lea Johnson
continued the success on the women's side, finishing as the runner-up in the
women's weight throw with a distance of 61' 6.25". The throw was good enough to
place fourth on Miami's all-time list.

"Lea is
competing like we want all our athletes to compete," Deem said. "She is getting
better with each throw and I believe that she is setting herself up for a
tremendous finish to the season."

Sophomore Phillip Dorsett
was Miami's first male athlete to earn accolades Friday, winning the 200m dash
with a time of 21.69 seconds.

"I thought
Phillip ran extremely well in his first 200 since high school and his first
ever on a banked track," Deem said.

Sophomore Davin
Johnson also turned in a solid performance, finishing the 400m in 50.40 seconds
to take third place in the event.

Sophomore Jokira Jiles
also stepped up for the women, running the 200m in 24. 52 seconds. The time
placed her fourth in the race, but ranked first among Miami female athletes
this season.

Sophomore Sean Pezzulo ran the 5000m in
15:25.59, setting a personal record while finishing fourth in the race.

Dakota Dailey Harris also had a strong
showing, finishing second in the women's high jump. The freshman cleared 5'
10", a season-best for Miami track and field.

The Hurricanes are back in action in
Day 2 of the New Mexico Classic on Saturday. The action kicks off with the
women's shot put at noon ET.

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